Tag: Mohamad Salah

We Predict… The 2022-23 Season

Precious few feelings match the optimism that swells before the opening weekend of a new season. The possibilities for your team are endless and unbound, the hype surrounding your big summer signing reaches its intoxicating peak and with each empty league table sprawled out like a blank canvas you may even begin to dream of silverware.

That is, right up until your meathead of a centre-back gets sent off 15 minutes into the first half while your marquee signing breaks his foot and you end up losing the opening game 3-1.

But enough about Everton! For now, the season ahead is a mystery that has us all guessing what’s to come. And so, it’s time for our annual season predictions blog from the hard-working and devilishly handsome staff behind Icons.com who, year after year and season after season, gaze into their respective crystal balls, summon the power of Nostradamus and… get almost every single facet of these predictions utterly and hopelessly wrong.

Think you’ve got a more accurate vision of the 2022-23 campaign? You’re probably right! So why not send us your predictions for the season ahead on our FacebookTwitter and Instagram pages. We dare you.

And, of course, be sure to check out our excellent range of signed memorabilia from Premier League stars past and present – available right now on Icons.com. So, on to our predictions…

Manchester City fans have high hopes for new striker Erling Haaland

Edward Freedman, Non-Executive Chairman

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY will retain their title with fresh blood and new ideas under Pep Guardiola.
2nd – Liverpool FC  3rd – Tottenham Hotspur  4th – Chelsea
Relegated: Fulham, AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa
Golden Boot: Manchester City’s ERLING HAALAND arrives for just over £50million and will light up the Premier League with his considerable talent.

Serie A winners: AC MILAN
La Liga winners: FC BARCELONA
Bundesliga winners: zzzzzzzz… BAYERN MUNICH… zzzzzzzz…

UEFA Champions League winners: I may be dreaming when I choose FC BARCELONA but that’s allowed, isn’t it?
UEFA Europa League winners: Mikel Arteta’s ARSENAL will win Europe’s second biggest prize.

Signing of the season: Liverpool FC’s capture of the dynamic young attacking midfielder FABIO CARVALHO looks shrewd.

Mark my words… Ten Hag, Nine Hag, Eight Hag, Seven Hag, Six Hag, Five Hag, Four Hag, Three Hag, Two Hag, One Hag… no Hag!

Liverpool FC fans’ favourite Mohamed Salah is primed for another Golden Boot campaign

Dan Jamieson, CEO

Premier League winners: LIVERPOOL FC will take the title back from Manchester City, I just know it.
2nd – Manchester City  3rd – Chelsea  4th – Tottenham Hotspur
Relegated: AFC Bournemouth, Leeds United and Everton
Golden Boot: My man MOHAMED SALAH will equal Thierry Henry‘s record of four Premier League Golden Boots in 2022-23.

Serie A winners: AC MILAN, who I have big hopes for this year…
La Liga winners: Our friends at FC BARCELONA
Bundesliga winners: This will be BAYERN MUNICH once again (yawn!)

UEFA Champions League winners: Jurgen Klopp told me to book my hotel for the final in Istanbul so of course it will be LIVERPOOL FC.
UEFA Europa League winners: Jose Mourinho‘s AS ROMA will add to last season’s UEFA Conference League with this, his third UEL title.

Signing of the season: RAHEEM STERLING will do much better than Romelu Lukaku in Thomas Tuchel’s system.

My team, Liverpool FC, will… best Manchester City over the course of the season with continuity and cohesiveness our trump cards. I think City have gone backwards and Erling Haaland will clog up their smooth scoring engine.

Mark my words… Haaland will be a sub by Christmas when Pep realises his mistake. The Ten in Eric Ten Hag is the number of seasons Manchester United are going to need to properly rebuild.

FC Barcelona have been busy this summer with the notable capture of Robert Lewandowski

Ben Soley, Head of Sales

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY. It’s gutting, but I can’t look past them winning a third in a row and five of the last six based on their signings. Erling Haaland should tear it up while Kalvin Phillips provides great cover and Julian Alvarez will have a greater impact than expected. 
2nd – Liverpool FC  3rd – Chelsea 4th – Tottenham Hotspur
Relegated: AFC Bournemouth, Leeds United and Brentford
Golden Boot: With Liverpool FC scoring highly again this season, their penalty taker, MOHAMED SALAH, will surely be among the goals again, not to mention he will get a good rest while others are at the FIFA World Cup.

Serie A winners: INTERNAZIONALE. The title move back across town to I Nerazzurri.
La Liga winners: FC BARCELONA‘s somewhat chaotic spending spree will
pay off – in their domestic campaign at least.
Bundesliga winners: I don’t believe a Borussia Dortmund without Erling Haaland or RB Leipzig can compete with BAYERN MUNICH, who’ve added Sadio Mane.

UEFA Champions League winners: MANCHESTER CITY will finally win the big one.
UEFA Europa League winners: AS ROMA. Jose Mourinho knows all about tournament football and will want to bring more trophies to Rome. they’ve also made strong signings in Zeki Celik, Paulo Dybala and Nemanja Matic. 

Signing of the season: Brentford have unearthed a gem of a left-back from Bologna in AARON HICKEY. The Scot is great going forward and with a killer set-piece in his arsenal £17million is a steal.

My team, Liverpool FC, will… focus on the Premier League after spreading thin last season to compete on four fronts. There will be silverware come the end of the season but it’s hard to put a finger on which kind!

Mark my words… Liverpool FC and Man City will be separated by a maximum of three points come the end of the season. Robert Lewandowski will hit the woodwork more than any player in La Liga. Aleksandar Mitrovic will score more times than he is carded.

Lionel Messi will hope Paris Saint-Germain can go further in the UEFA Champions League

Alistair Hunter, Senior Editor

Premier League winners: There’s no need to overthink this. MANCHESTER CITY will retain their title.
2nd – Liverpool FC  3rd – Chelsea 4th – Tottenham Hotspur
Relegated: AFC Bournemouth, Everton and Southampton
Golden Boot: My theory is this. ERLING HAALAND was actually created in an underground lab on the City Campus, manufactured to one day score 50 goals in a Premier League season. They sent him to Norway as a boy to throw us off the scent.

Serie A winners: I think this will be a special one… I’m going with AS ROMA to upset the odds now Paulo Dybala is unleashed.
La Liga winners: FC BARCELONA are selling the farm to win now so they better win now.
Bundesliga winners: Death, taxes, BAYERN MUNICH.

UEFA Champions League winners: If you read these predictions blogs every year you’ll know I’ve gone for PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN each year for the past five years. Giving up on Lionel Messi‘s side now feels dangerous.
UEFA Europa League winners: I was there as Rangers FC lost on penalties in last season’s final so it feels too soon to ask me this. For old time’s sake I’ll pick SEVILLA. Wait… Seville… oh god!

Signing of the season: No-one will want to admit (for some reason) that RAHEEM STERLING is a world class winger who adds a lot of quality to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.

My team, Rangers, will… battle relentlessly with Celtic and ultimately wrestle the Scottish title back by a solitary point in one of the most pulsating (and controversial) seasons in history. They will not – I repeat, not – enjoy the introduction of VAR north of the border.

Mark my words… either Manchester City or Liverpool will score 8+ goals in a Premier League game. The raucous atmosphere of an impassioned City Ground will vault Nottingham Forest into the top half.

Pep Guardiola’s City have their sights on yet more silverware in 2022-23

David Cox, Head of Operations

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY, because who else?!
2nd – Liverpool FC  3rd – Chelsea 4th – Arsenal
Relegated: AFC Bournemouth, Fulham and Brentford
Golden Boot: Liverpool’s MOHAMED SALAH wins back-to-back Golden Boots.

Serie A winners: AS ROMA
La Liga winners: REAL MADRID CF
Bundesliga winners: BAYERN MUNICH

UEFA Champions League winners: The time has come for my MANCHESTER CITY to win their very first European crown, surely?
UEFA Europa League winners: ARSENAL

Signing of the season: GABRIEL JESUS is a great player who was never really given a starting role at City. If he starts regularly at Arsenal he’ll bang them in. 

My team, Manchester City, will… finally prove the doubters wrong and win the UEFA Champions League.

Mark my words… Again, Manchester United still won’t manage to break into the top four – I’d be surprised if they made the top six! 

The pressure’s on Eric Ten Hag at Manchester United – can he deliver at top four finish?

Jamie White, Digital Content Producer

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY
2nd – Liverpool FC  3rd – Chelsea 4th – Manchester United
Relegated: AFC Bournemouth, Fulham and Leeds United
Golden Boot: Liverpool’s MOHAMED SALAH is always up there and he isn;t going to the FIFA Word Cup so will have a nice break in the winter.

Serie A winners: JUVENTUS
La Liga winners: REAL MADRID CF
Bundesliga winners: BAYERN MUNICH because who else?!

UEFA Champions League winners: LIVERPOOL FC
UEFA Europa League winners: ARSENAL

Signing of the season: ERLING HAALAND looks set to be a monster player for Manchester City, who got an incredible deal for him. I do also believe Gabriel Jesus will do well at Arsenal.

My team, Liverpool FC, will… run City close but I can see a repeat of last season with the Reds missing out by a few points once again.

Mark my words… AFC Bournemouth will finish bottom and become the whipping boys of the season.

Jude Bellingham gives BVB hopes of busting Bayern’s decade-long dominance in Germany

Dan Rushton, Customer Support

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY – just about. I think City have a slight edge on Liverpool this season in terms of depth. It’s going to be close again but if Haaland adapts quickly and gels with his team-mates they’ll be the winners.
2nd – Liverpool FC  3rd – Arsenal (trust the process) 4th – Chelsea
Relegated: Southampton, Fulham and Leeds United
Golden Boot: HARRY KANE. I think Tottenham will have a go at it this year but I do still think the top four is going to be a big ask. If Kane stays fit I’m sure he’ll be scoring on a weekly basis. 

Serie A winners: INTERNAZIONALE missed out on the title by two points last year. They’ll want to take it back!
La Liga winners: I just don’t think FC Barcelona will do it this year with the amount of new players they need to gel together. European champions REAL MADRID CF will be tough to dismantle.
Bundesliga winners: Both Bayern and BORUSSIA DORTMUND have lost some firepower which might bring other teams into the fray but I also think it’s about time Dortmund took their first title in just over 10 years. Jude Bellingham is in for a great season. 

UEFA Champions League winners: MANCHESTER CITY are going to make a real go of it this year and I genuinely believe they can do it. I’m predicting a Liverpool v City final!
UEFA Europa League winners: I wanted to say Arsenal but I think their focus is going to be on the league and a top four finish. AS ROMA won’t take any prisoners this year.

Signing of the season: It’s between Haaland and GABRIEL JESUS but I will go for the latter. I think he’s going to absolutely smash it at Arsenal as he has already shown in pre-season. 

My team, Birmingham City, will… be rubbish again as per-usual. Blues will be dragged into their tenth consecutive relegation dogfight and probably survive by getting a point at Sheffield United on the last game of the season.

Mark my words… Nottingham Forest will spend most of the season on the fringes of a top six finish. 

Harry Kane will look to further cement his Premier League legacy in a FIFA World Cup year

Will Franklin, Sales Executive

Premier League winners: MANCHESTER CITY
2nd – Liverpool FC  3rd – Chelsea 4th – Tottenham Hotspur
Relegated: Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Southampton
Golden Boot: HARRY KANE is set for another big year of goals with the FIFA World Cup in between to boot.

Serie A winners: INTERNAZIONALE
La Liga winners: REAL MADRID CF
Bundesliga winners: BAYERN MUNICH

UEFA Champions League winners: LIVERPOOL FC
UEFA Europa League winners: AS ROMA

Signing of the season: Tottenham’s acquisition of Ivorian midfielder YVES BISSOUMA from Brighton & Hove Albion will prove an excellent purchase.

My team, Aston Villa, will… finish 7th. Leon Bailey and Diego Carlos will have great seasons (I hope). 

Mark my words… Cameron Archer will light up the Premier League.

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea face an intriguing campaign both on and off the pitch

Dan Hunt, Accounts Assistant

Premier League winners: With the signing of Erling Haaland, MANCHESTER CITY will be clear winners of the title.
2nd – Liverpool FC  3rd – Arsenal 4th – Manchester United
Relegated: AFC Bournemouth, Leeds United and Fulham
Golden Boot: If fit, ERLING HAALAND will score 30 goals or more.

Serie A winners: JUVENTUS
La Liga winners: REAL MADRID CF
Bundesliga winners: BAYERN MUNICH, obviously!

UEFA Champions League winners: MANCHESTER CITY
UEFA Europa League winners: Perennial winners SEVILLA will drop out of the UEFA Champions League to win another UEL title.

Signing of the season: West Ham United finally have a striker who will score goals for the club in GIANLUCA SCAMACCA.

My team, West Ham United, will… finish in 5th place, just a few points shy of the top four and a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

Mark my words… Chelsea will start off very slowly and Thomas Tuchel will be the first manager sacked, shortly followed by Frank Lampard. Manchester City will have another 100+ point season.



We Predict… The 2018 UEFA Champions League Final

It’s almost here. The countdown to the 2018 UEFA Champions League final is in its final stages and this year the anticipation could not be any higher. Kiev better brace itself, because when Real Madrid and Liverpool clash on Saturday evening, there’s sure to be fireworks.

We know it’ll be an exciting, enthralling and electric final. We know there’s a good chance the match won’t finish goalless. We know there’s history to be made. But what we don’t know – for certain, anyway – is exactly what will happen. But we can always guess. So, without further adieu…


Dan Jamieson, CEO

I’m with esteemed football writer Jonathan Wilson, who has argued that Real Madrid are a giant “sleep-walking into a hammering.”

I’m a born and bred Scouser and a big Liverpool fan, so forgive me for any perceived bias, but I just think Real won’t know what’s hit them. Lots of teams press but Liverpool are on a different level. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané are clocked as two of the top even fastest players in European football and it’s the Gegenpress that creates the chances rather than our more functional midfield. Marcelo will go walkabout, Sergio Ramos will push up too high and dive in too much, while Cristiano Ronaldo will get frustrated by a lack of service.

This is the end of the road for this great Real side but now the youngest, quickest and hungriest team they will have played will bring down the curtain on their regal rein. Exuberance triumphs over experience.

Score: Real Madrid 0-4 Liverpool
Man of the Match: Sir Bobby of Firmino.
Random prediction: After Madrid lose, they spend the summer trying to buy their conquerors.


Ben Soley, Sales and Marketing Manager

Real are the dream opposition for Liverpool – ageing, slow, over-confident. Madrid may have the experience in finals like these but Liverpool will have the hunger. There will undoubtedly be some early jitters and the occasion might get to some of the Liverpool players (as it did in the first 20 minutes of the first leg against Roma) but when they get their first chance they will quickly see how easy it is to get at Madrid’s defence.

Many of Liverpool’s games are won in the middle of the pitch, where a dynamic trio dispossess their opposite numbers, and get it to that forward three at pace. Injuries mean they are without linchpin midfielders Emre Can and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain while Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro will prove to be the hardest opposition Klopp’s side have come up against. So, it will be up to Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, and the competition’s leader for assists, James Milner, to control the game.

I expect a high-scoring match but those who doubt Liverpool’s defensive qualities should re-watch the performances of Dejan Lovren and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s against Manchester City in the quarter-final at the Etihad.

Score: Real Madrid 2-3 Liverpool
Man of the Match: James Milner.
Random prediction: Marcelo will misplace a pass that leads directly to a goal.

The final takes place at Kiev’s Olimpiyskiy stadium on Saturday at 19:45 (GMT)

Alistair Hunter, Senior Editor

Liverpool have all the tools to stop Real Madrid but there’s something about Zinedine Zidane’s side in these finals that makes them seem unstoppable.

Call it experience, call it genuine star quality, call it luck, call it whatever you want – there’s just something about them that has me believing that, especially if it goes beyond the 90 minutes, it’s they who pull through. I have been lucky enough to have attended the last two finals so I have seen this in action.

But, on a more practical note, I believe it’ll be Real’s strength in depth that will prove a decisive factor. After all, however Zidane chooses to line up his side in Kiev, he’ll have numerous options on the bench. One of Gareth Bale, Isco or Marco Asensio (or even all three) could be left out of the starting XI. Klopp doesn’t have that luxury and the more this incredibly high-octane, end-of-season game wears on, the more likely it is that fresh legs make the difference.

Score: Real Madrid 3-2 Liverpool (AET)
Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Random prediction: Ronaldo will win and convert a first half penalty.


James Tildesley, Head of New Business

Much has been said about Real Madrid’s weaknesses and, in particular, how Marcelo marauding forward would afford space to Liverpool’s key threat, Mohamed Salah. But I don’t think a team that has got itself to the final for a chance to win its third consecutive UEFA Champions League title could be that tactically naive.

Admittedly, I looked at Madrid against Bayern Munich and thought it to be promising for Liverpool and in the final Marcelo may well find himself out of position. However, I think mental strength will be a deciding factor and, given that Liverpool were rocked several times against Roma, I can see that coming to the fore again.

Score: Real Madrid 2-1 Liverpool
Man of the Match: Luka Modric.
Random prediction: Marcelo provides either the assist or a key pass for a Real goal while also being at fault for a Liverpool goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo is aiming to win his fifth UEFA Champions League title

Jamie White, Social Media Producer

Being a Liverpool fan, I have to have faith in the Redmen to bring home that trophy even if my head says Real Madrid will win.

Given their experience in winning this competition over recent years and considering the players they have at their disposal, it’s hard look past the Spanish giants for a third straight title. Having said that, on our day, we can beat anyone and there can be no bigger or better occasion to prove that than this one. People talk up Liverpool’s powerful attacking trio but its that leaky back line that will have to prove itself in limiting the damage caused by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo. I think that, should the game go to extra time, Liverpool may run out of steam with their high-pressure tactics. Real’s greater strength in depth will also play a key role in swinging the balance.

Score: Real Madrid 3-2 Liverpool
Man of the Match: Luka Modric.
Random prediction: (Not so random) Dejan Lovren will drop a howler.


Scott Hutchison, US Partner

If you’re looking for a defensive battle, this isn’t the match for you. Expect both teams to constantly press, setting us neutrals up to enjoy a free-scoring affair. I’m a firm believer in the intangibles, with experience being top of the list.

I can’t see Liverpool being intimidated by the occasion, but when that whistle blows, they’ll line up opposite the side who have reigned over this competition for three of the last four years. That will bring a certain confidence to Real and will put them up early, making this less of a competitive match than most would want.

Score: Real Madrid 4-2 Liverpool.
Man of the Match: Can it really be anyone other than Cristiano Ronaldo?
Random prediction: Chelsea showed that if you smother Mo Salah, you smother and ultimately stop Liverpool. He may get his goal but expect the Egyptian’s possession overall to be very limited.


So, that’s what we think will go down in Kiev. But what do you think? Send us your predictions by getting in touch via our FacebookTwitter and Instagram pages!

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